Epcot Voted #1 Restaurant in Orlando for 2nd Straight Year

Winners were announced today for the annual Best of Orlando Awards. For the 2nd straight year, Epcot was named the city’s Best Restaurant, after narrowly edging out local favorite, Miller’s Ale House and national powerhouse, Outback Steakhouse.

Epcot, which opened in 1982, originally as Walt Disney World’s 2nd theme park, has been slowly converting itself into a restaurant-only business model since the late-90’s. Last year, after major deconstruction, the park finally achieved the goal of losing Theme Park status, subsequently opening the door for its current reign as Orlando’s Best in the Restaurant category.

Critics once contended that guests would be unwilling to pay the hefty $125 cover charge on top of their dining and bar tabs, but Disney fans have responded emphatically, with attendance remaining steady during the changes.

Josh D’Amaro, President of Walt Disney World, attributed the park’s continued success to its yearly festivals, which bring an uptick in attendance. “For years, we foolishly thought we had to provide entertainment along with culinary delights to attract hungry visitors, but if this year has proved anything, it’s that our world-class food speaks for itself. Folks flocked to our signature Food and Wine Festival without the promise of a Boyz II Men, or a Sugar Ray, or any other number of artists you sort of remember one song from. This has let us reappropriate funds to bring in more talented chefs and exciting new menu options,” he commented.

The park shows no signs of slowing down either; Disney has already announced plans to open Space 220 and Guardian’s of the Galaxy: Cosmic Café (built on the grave of one-time attraction, Ellen’s Energy Adventure), which will take diners into a few-years-too-late-adventure through space with these once-beloved bounty hunters. D’Amaro also confirmed that by the end of next year, Epcot hope to surpass The Cheesecake Factory in total number of menu options.

Congratulations, Epcot! Let us know your must-eat or drink item in the comments.